Man Utd’s £50m Jarrad Branthwaite bid, Everton contract snub, stance on summer transfer

Everton star Jarrad Branthwaite was the subject of a big Man Utd bid last summer (Image: Getty)

Manchester United are about to come face-to-face with a player they once offered big money for.

On Saturday they travel to Merseyside for the early kick-off at Goodison Park, where former United boss David Moyes has got Everton firing on all cylinders. The Toffees are scoring goals and keeping things tight at the back, helped in no small part by towering defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

Here, Express Sport takes you through the history and possible future between United and 22-year-old Branthwaite, who is expected by many to go to the very top…

£50m bid

United were so serious about signing Branthwaite last summer that they sent a hefty £50million bid to Everton. The centre-back had only completed one full season of Premier League football at that point in his career, but Red Devils chiefs had seen enough to conclude he has what it takes to cut it at the top level.

Unfortunately for them, Everton bosses agreed. They stood firm on their £70m valuation of Branthwaite and informed United that he would not be going anywhere unless their asking price was met. Ultimately, INEOS splashed out on Leny Yoro and Matthijs de Ligt instead.

Jarrad Branthwaite has appeared in 18 of Everton’s 25 Premier League games this season (Image: Getty)

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Everton contract snub

Part of United’s summer package for Branthwaite involved a long-term contract on wages of £160,000 a week. The youngster earns just less than half of that at Goodison Park, and according to The Daily Mail, he won’t sign an extension unless Everton match United’s offer.

That certainly bodes well for United, as Everton’s wage structure suggests they are unlikely to meet his demands. But on the flip side, Moyes and co. are in no rush to sell. Branthwaite has more than two years left on his deal with the option of an extra 12 months.

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Stance on summer transfer

United’s interest in Branthwaite is long-standing and reports indicate that they are not ready to abandon their pursuit any time soon. The appointment of Ruben Amorim could have thrown a spanner in the works, but Branthwaite’s natural left foot would make him a valuable asset to any manager who plays a back-three.

According to GIVEMESPORT, United were still showing interest leading up to the January window, several weeks after Amorim was hired. Their chase could ramp up again in the summer, although Liverpool and Manchester City are also believed to be in the hunt.